Beyond the catalyst project in Hunter Park, a number of other projects are developing throughout our service area, utilizing the State Resource Toolbox (a collection of grants and other resources for which Cool Cities get special, priority consideration). Below is the latest information; check back here for updates! Likewise, if you have information on further projects, please contact us.
Project: Introduce green roof concept to commercial structures/property owners.
Project leader: Kevin Green, Principal Shopping District & Lansing Cool City Coordinator, 517-487-3322, kevin@lansingpsd.com
State resources being pursued: DEQ – Robert Sweet and Carrie Geyer (Carrie is the point person).
Current status and next steps: Project leader is reading through DEQ materials to understand how and when to pull others into process. Need to push city to create/approve a watershed plan, which will require DEQ approval to gain access to funding. The city is in the process of writing the watershed plan.
Current needs for help: Everyone may need to get involved in pushing the city on the watershed plan.
Project: Home Improvement Workshops 2006.
Project leader: Amanda Morgan, ANC Workshop Coordinator, 517-367-2468, morganam@msu.edu
State resources being pursued: DEQ (Carrie Geyer).
Current status and next steps: Project leader is/will be contacting the resources learned about at the recent Cool City meeting.
Current needs for help: To be determined.
Project: For ANC's food programs (or the Hunter Park Project), purchase seeds, fertilizer and lawn & garden equipment at lower costs through state contracts with MI Deal. The city of Lansing would need to buy them and pass them through to the non-profit.
Project leader: Judith Bommer, ANC Food Team Leader, 517-367-2468, ancjudith@sbcglobal.net
State resources being pursued: MI Deal, 517-335-0230, MIDEAL@michigan.gov, http://www.michigan.gov/mideal (through the DMB).
Current status and next steps: Project leader needs to contact resources and the city.
Current needs for help: To be determined.
Project: Clean Sweep program -- an annual or semi-annual coordinated location for drop-off of unwanted chemicals, pesticides, and other toxic substances. Could include tires, scrap metal, wood, useable clothing/furniture, and general recycling items. Also could include pick-up service, in which trained volunteers visit seniors at their homes to review & collect these items (especially chemicals/toxics) for disposal. This way, seniors won’t have to deal with, handle, transport these items. Could have a huge impact environmentally and be a catalyst for the entire city.
Project leader: Kevin Green, Principal Shopping District & Lansing Cool City Coordinator, 517-487-3322, kevin@lansingpsd.com
State resources being pursued: Jeanne M. Lipe (Dept. of Ag.), 517-242-2961, lipej@michigan.gov
Also seeking more information from Jack Knorek, State of Michigan.
Current status and next steps: Seeking information, guidance, potential funding resources, contacts/suggestions of similar programs in other communities.
Current needs for help: Guidance, information, volunteers, MSU connections, city involvement.
Project: Amphitheatre/outdoor teaching space by the greenhouse.
Project leader: Judith Bommer, ANC Food Team Leader, 517-367-2468, ancjudith@sbcglobal.net
State resources being pursued: DNR, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr (search for Grant Programs); Mary Emmons, grant coordinator for Ingham County.
Current status and next steps: Constructing a concept plan and budget. Contacting Tanya Moore, city of Lansing
Current needs for help: To be determined.
Project: ANC farm market product expansion.
Project leader: Amee Miller, ANC Market Master, 517-367-2468, ancamee@sbcglobal.net
State resources being pursued: Jeanne Lipe (Dept. of Ag.), 517-242-2961, lipej@michigan.gov
Current status and next steps: Getting contact information for farmers with new products and contacting farmers.
Current needs for help: To be determined.
Project: Michigan Avenue roadwork.
Project leader: Nancy Brandon (Magdalena's Tea House) or Colleen Davis (Gone Wired Café)? Also met with Jane Dykema (city engineer), Andy Kilpatrick, MDOT Armstrong, and Rick Kibbey.
State resources being pursued: Enhancement
Current status and next steps: Creating a Michigan Avenue plan and establishing a business association for the 2000 block.
Current needs for help: Building community consensus around Michigan Avenue.
Project: Tree survey and GIS map of Eastside.
Project leader: Dan Stanaway, ANC, ancdan@sbcglobal.net
State resources being pursued: DNR and Urban & Community Forest Program (tree inventory / management plans), particularly Arbor Day mini-grants.
Also, Kevin Sayers, 517-241-4632; Rick Kibbey (to locate the top-notch, underutilized GIS map person at MSHDA).
Current status and next steps: Contact resource people.
Current needs for help: To be determined
Project: Explore the eligibility of certain houses or portions of the neighborhood for the National Registry of Historic Places.
Project leader: To be determined.
State resources being pursued: State Historic Preservation Office
Current status and next steps: To be determined.
Current needs for help: To be determined.
Questions or comments about the site? Contact us or email penniman@gmail.com.